Southeastern summoned me to court

[shrimpymo]

Hi there,
Just looking for some advice really. On the 1st of July I got stopped by a ticket inspector for not having a ticket. I had been running late for work, and incidentally forgotten my wallet. I didn't have enough time to go back and get it, so I tried my luck and failed. He issued me a caution and said I would be hearing from the company in the future, and here we are. It says that 5.70 (for the fare) and 125 (for the prosecution costs) is claimed and that I have a court date of the 18th of October. Is there a way to settle this out of court and how would I go about this?

 

[island]

Is that the first correspondence you have had on the subject? Normally there is at least one letter comes first asking for your account of events.

 

[Southwest]

so I tried my luck and failed.

How do you mean, settle out of court, are you looking for a cheaper option? You've admitted your guilt in the statement above; man up, pay up and learn from your mistakes.

 

[Bletchleyite]

How do you mean, settle out of court, are you looking for a cheaper option? You've admitted your guilt in the statement above; man up, pay up and learn from your mistakes.

The OP is probably looking for a means of avoiding a criminal record by instead paying a sum of money to the TOC directly.

The way to do this would be to contact the Prosecutions Department of the TOC and make them a financial offer. Such an offer would include being extremely apologetic, but also a sum that will cover their costs (the one quoted is perhaps a start).

 

[shrimpymo]

At first they sent me a letter asking for my story and I told them pretty much what I've told you guys.
I understand that I am guilty, I just want to know whether contacting them with an apology and a request to settle out of court is an option and how viable it is. I do not need a condemnation, as I can handle that myself.

 

[Clip]

By outlining the costs involved in the letter to the OP it looks like they are offering them and out of court settlement to which If I was the OP I would write back apologising and offer to pay what they are stating in their letter there and then in lieu of going to court.

 

[najaB]

Is there a way to settle this out of court and how would I go about this?

As others have hinted at, Southeastern's prosecutors have a pile of these cases to get through so anything that makes their life easier is music to their ears. An admission of culpability, an apology an undertaking to never repeat your behaviour and an offer of recompense is likely to help you avoid a date with the court.

 

[Master29]

At first they sent me a letter asking for my story and I told them pretty much what I've told you guys.
I understand that I am guilty, I just want to know whether contacting them with an apology and a request to settle out of court is an option and how viable it is. I do not need a condemnation, as I can handle that myself.

It is viable and I suppose your best option at the moment as others have said.